SINCE 2012, WE HAVE HELPED OVER 1000 ENTREPRENEURS, INCUBATED MORE THAN 500 EARLY-STAGE TECH STARTUPS. THEY’VE COLLECTIVELY RAISED OVER $100+ MILLION AND CREATED MORE THAN 1000 JOBS IN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, AND CANADA.

Our Mission

We are committed to helping early-stage tech startups in Vancouver become the next big thing through world-class education and mentorship. We connect entrepreneurs with the resources they need to launch their startup into hyperdrive.

Launch Academy has helped us get into top tier accelerator program like 500 Startups in a matter of a few months. 

— Jerome Ng, CEO at Venue Spot

What We've Achieved

Curated a community of 1000+ entrepreneurs

Incubated over 500+ early-stage startups

Our companies have raised over $100 million dollars

Collectively, they have created more than 1000 jobs

Offered over 3000 hours in mentorship and guidance

Provided entrepreneurs with over $1 million dollars worth of perks

Moved into a 12,000 sqft office space with partners like Highline, Microsoft, Lighthouse Labs, and BDC.

Hosted more than 300 high quality events

Sent 30 companies to premier accelerator programs including TechStars, 500Startups, Highline, Founder Fuel and more

Meet the Team

Ray Walia, Co-founder & CEO

Ray is an entrepreneur and investor with experience in multiple businesses in a variety of industries with multiple successful exits. Ray's entrepreneurship background evolved through extensive involvement in his business as producer of global concerts & events for the Bollywood movie industry. In 2012 Ray co-founded LX Ventures & Launch Academy and took over as Executive Director of Metabridge. In 2014 Ray was named Entrepreneur Mentor of the Year for British Columbia and the Forty Under 40 list by Business In Vancouver.

Alex Chuang, Co-founder & CSO

Alex is a budding entrepreneur, designer and growth hacker with a track record of launching products in crowdfunding, e-commerce, SaaS, virtual currency and marketplace platforms. Having sold his first startup in 2013, Alex has committed himself to build a strong tech ecosystem in Vancouver; mentoring over one thousand entrepreneurs and connecting them to the right resources. In 2014, Alex was recognized as Best in Social Entrepreneurship by Notable Awards and in 2015 as BC's Top 30 under 30. Alex now serves as a startup advisor on several emerging tech companies.

Hussein Hallak, General Manager

Hussein in a serial entrepreneur who has built 10 startups. He is a marketer, writer and public speaker at heart. Outside of Launch Academy, he serves as the Executive Director at TiE Vancouver, Instructor at Capilano University, Tech Panelist on Roundhouse Radio. He has been featured Featured in Forbes, BBC, Entrepreneur, DailyHive (VancityBuzz), Roundhouse Radio, Vancouver Courier and Notable. Hussein is also a startup advisor for several emerging tech startups.

Sam Chan, Program Manager

Sam has been involved in tech and startups for as long as he can remember. He first recognized his entrepreneurial spirit when he was trading Pokemon cards for lunches and video games. From there, he worked for a couple of different startups and eventually became involved in tech and consulted for Samsung, Intel, Nokia, Microsoft on their developer program efforts. He also helped run the largest mobile developer conference in Barcelona at Mobile World Congress called WIPJam, and regularly advised different mobile startups on their go-to-market strategies

Annu Britten, Events & Communications Manager

Annu is a passionate, dynamic and reliable events coordinator, project manager and communications specialist. With over a decade of experience in fast-paced environments, Annu has flourished into an accomplished and polished professional with an eye for detail. She is dedicated and focused with the ability to prioritize to complete multiple tasks and achieve project goals. Her past experience includes event production at the TED, TED Global and TED Women conferences.

Caroline Tapp, Lead Designer

Caroline is Launch Academy’s Lead Designer. Originally from Regina, Saskatchewan, Caroline moved to Vancouver in 2009 to pursue an education in Fine Art at Emily Carr followed by Graphic Design at BCIT. Using her in-depth knowledge of colour theory, composition, typography and iconography, Caroline works with business owners to create striking and effective visuals. Her specialties include traditional and digital illustration, logo design, branding and photography, and photo retouching.

Roger Patterson, Co-founder

Roger Patterson is a serial high-tech entrepreneur with a passion for spreading the entrepreneurial spirit and helping others succeed as entrepreneurs. He has over 17 years experience in the software and telecom industries, 12 years of which have been spent founding and running 3 successful high-tech companies after originally working for some of Canada’s largest high-tech companies (Nortel and Newbridge Networks).

Mike Edwards, Co-founder

A lifelong entrepreneur who is drawn to adventure and innovation, Mike has been starting and investing in tech companies for over 20 years. His investments include over 40 startups, including Punch’d (acquired by Google), Summify (acquired by Twitter), Wander (acquired by Yahoo), AreaConnect (acquired by Marchex), PassWordBox (acquired by Intel), as well as Battlefy, Wantering, Foodee, CineCoup, and BlueBat Games.